Amazon MX Player, Amazon's free video streaming service, recently brought back its popular teen dance drama Campus Beats for a highly anticipated fifth season. Set in a modern dance academy, the series began as Netra’s (Shruti Sinha) journey of self-discovery—a Gen Z dancer who finds her hidden talents while navigating the complex world of friendship, love, freedom and social barriers in a divided dance academy. The storyline has since then evolved to showcase various characters and their passion for dance, along with the struggles that behold a young artist.
With each season, fans have watched the characters’ relationships bloom and fracture, as they deal with everything life throws their way while balancing the dance academy. The stakes rise higher in Season 5, where a love triangle unfolds as Netra and Rihanna (Tanvi Gadkari) compete for Ishaan's (Shantanu Maheshwari) affection. In Season 5, viewers can expect intense dance battles, emotional confrontations and unexpected twists.
The Campus Beats’ cast also includes Sahaj Singh Chahal, Harsh Dingwani, Tanya Bhushan, Dhanshree Yadav, Teriya Magar, Adnan Khan, Manish Poonam, Dipankana Das, Manasvi Vashist and Rohan Pal.
We caught up with Shantanu Maheshwari to discuss his experience shooting the new season and learn about his character's growth throughout the series.
As someone who has portrayed Ishaan since Season 1 of Campus Beats, how would you describe your character's evolution over these five seasons? What new dimensions of Ishaan’s character will viewers discover in Season 5?
A lot has happened in Ishaan’s journey so far—emotionally and personally. From understanding what love truly means and the shocking revelation that he’s an illegitimate child to reuniting with Netra and reconnecting with his old group of friends through MAD (University of Movement and Dance)—it’s a rollercoaster. In Season 5, we see him navigating the delicate balance between his relationship with Netra and his deep-rooted friendships with Rihanna. Given both their personalities, it’s not easy as he doesn’t want Netra to lose sight of her goals, but at the same time, he’s hoping their relationship can grow. I think the audience will really resonate with him this season, seeing how he faces his struggles. The question remains—will he be able to overcome them?
Looking back at your journey with Campus Beats, what have been the most significant milestones or turning points for your character Ishaan, and how have these experiences shaped him into who he is in Season 5?
I touched on this earlier, but if I were to list the key turning points in Ishaan’s life, they would be:
- Falling in love with Netra
- Rihanna going to jail
- Reaching out to his father for help
- The guilt of throwing Netra out of the campus
- Teaching dance to underprivileged kids
- Discovering he’s the illegitimate child—when he always thought he was the legitimate one
- Ahaan (Rahul Luke) entering his life
- Netra returning
- Ahaan developing feelings for Netra
- His group of friends drifting apart and reuniting through MAD
- Preparing for World Dance Championship
- Rihanna returning as a rival
- And now, balancing between his best friends and his relationship
All of these experiences have made him tougher, more emotionally aware, and a more mature version of himself.
Campus Beats has showcased various dance styles and cultural influences throughout its run. How has the approach to the dance sequences evolved over the seasons, and what can fans look forward to this season?
I have to give major credit to the show’s creators, especially Palki Malhotra and our choreographers Macedon D’mello and Virali Parekh. The dance sequences are not just about the steps—they’re crafted to reflect the characters’ emotions. That’s what I love most about this season’s performances. You’re not just dancing; you’re expressing what your character is going through. It’s a unique challenge, and one I really enjoy. Life has shaped Ishaan—he’s grown as a person, and that’s made him a better artist and choreographer.
Campus Beats has always thrived on the dynamics between its ensemble cast. How have Ishaan's relationships with other characters evolved over the seasons, and which character interactions were most exciting to explore in Season 5?
Ishaan’s relationship with his friends has grown immensely. Their bond is much deeper now than it was before. While a big part of the story revolves around Netra, Ishaan, and Rihanna—and that arc has been beautifully explored, I also really enjoyed the boys’ scenes with Neil (Sahaj Singh Chahal) and Figo (Rohan Pal). They felt fresh, fun, and yet totally relatable.
You recently had the opportunity to work alongside an Amazon delivery associate and experience his out-for-delivery routine. How did that experience give you a new perspective, and did you find any surprising similarities between the discipline required for dance and the precision needed for a role like that in operations?
A big thank you to the amazing Amazon team for the opportunity. Spending a day with Harsh, one of their delivery partners, gave me real insight into the kind of dedication and challenges they face. It was incredibly inspiring to meet Harsh, who balances his education and passion for starting his own venture, all while delivering packages with a smile. It’s a powerful reminder that no matter where we come from or what we do, our dreams are valid and worth pursuing. It's heartening to see how Amazon has an environment that also provides individuals like him with opportunities to grow and thrive while chasing their aspirations. And surprising him with a delivery to the Campus Beats cast was priceless! Interestingly, both dance and delivery require the same kind of discipline and awareness—to perform the task at hand efficiently, no matter the situation.
Watch Shantanu accompany a delivery associate for an Amazon delivery here:
What’s on your Amazon MX Player watch list?
Currently, I’m watching Campus Beats Season 5 and Put Your Head on My Shoulder.
What was the last item that was delivered to you by an Amazon delivery associate?
I ordered a ceiling fan for my kitchen.
